Abstract
Introduction: The high incidence of pulmonary emboli (PE) in COVID-19 is well established, but it is unclear who or when to scan in a non-critical care setting. We reviewed all computed tomography pulmonary angiographies (CTPAs) performed in our central London hospital during the pandemic to help risk stratify this specific population.
Methods: Retrospective cohort analysis of all COVID-19 positive inpatients not requiring critical care, with CTPAs performed during March – April 20’ and December 20’– January 21’ were included. Data was collected from electronic clinical records.
Results: 193 CTPAs were included; 52% male; average age 63. 11% had PEs (14% with right heart strain). Of those with PE, only 33% had a chest x-ray (CXR) with more than moderate interstitial change; 51% in non-PE patients. D-dimers were significantly higher in PE patients (median 2.8mg/L) than in non-PE patients (0.64mg/L)(p=0.04)(figure 1). Ferritin was lower in PE patients (582µg/L) than non-PE patients (954µg/L)(p=0.02). No significant difference was found between the 2 groups with days of illness, FiO2, CRP, LDH, BNP or troponin.
Conclusion: High D-dimer and low ferritin may predict patients with a higher risk of PE. Disproportionate hypoxia to CXR severity may help guide the need for CTPAs. These factors may represent a relatively lower inflammatory state more prone to thrombosis.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2021; 58: Suppl. 65, PA496.
This abstract was presented at the 2021 ERS International Congress, in session “Prediction of exacerbations in patients with COPD”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2021
